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“Interesting. I would agree with the previous taster that this is a very ethereal tea; but I would contend that it is a rather flavorful one nonetheless. The tea over all had it a prevailing flavor...”
Read full tasting note

“This tea is surprisingly light flavored, in my book. I’ve brewed it over a range of suggested times, amounts, and temperatures now and have generally produced very ethereal and flighty tea....”
Read full tasting note

From Imperial Tea Court

China’s Eastern coastal province of Zhejiang produces some of the finest green teas on earth, including this year’s organic Purple Bamboo. Purple Bamboo, originally a tribute to the Imperial Court during the Tang Dynasty, is still prized in its modern day form and often used as special gift to important people. We are very proud to have negotiated for a limited amount of this great gift tea to share with you. Purple Bamboo’s flavors are elegant and easily accessible and its forgiving nature certainly makes it an easy choice for every tea occasion.

One word describes this tea perfectly: SWEET! Our farm fertilized only with organic compost and has chickens running around all over. The chickens loosen the soil looking for bugs and insects and deposit their own fertilizer naturally. The farm is moderately managed but nature has been kind to it. Combined with natural compost, it also grows the original varietal of zi xun cha (purple bamboo). Almost all other farms have gone on to newer hybrids and “improved” varietals that yield earlier with prettier leaves. This original varietal yields less leaf and a later harvest, which is perfect this year due to the cold weather. The later harvest allows the plants to store more nutrients and the result is just great taste!

This Organic Purple Bamboo is sweet, nicely textured, and without a hint of aggressiveness. Feel free to brew with a mid- to high-temperature range to bring out more flavor. Allow the liquor to cool a bit before drinking if you brewed with higher temp to enjoy the silky texture.

2 Tasting Notes

Interesting. I would agree with the previous taster that this is a very ethereal tea; but I would contend that it is a rather flavorful one nonetheless. The tea over all had it a prevailing flavor of dried sour apples with teasing hints of floral notes, like the scent of far away orchids wafting on a summer breeze. A more practical description would be mild but pervasive sweetness with extremely mild astringency and light floral notes. As I brewed it the tea had a lighter-medium body. I steeped the tea six times, though it probably could have lasted a few more times; the only major change steeping to steeping was a slight reduction of floral notes each steeping. My steeping times were: 2m;2:30;3m;4m;5m;7m. I would highly recommend it as a light, but interesting tea.

Preparation

This tea is surprisingly light flavored, in my book. I’ve brewed it over a range of suggested times, amounts, and temperatures now and have generally produced very ethereal and flighty tea. It’s got some extremely delicate juicy notes, but never gets particularly rich. The buds look intensely fresh, green and high quality. Bud-only teas from Imperial Court appear to be of the highest quality and freshness. I just wished they’d throw off a slightly more flavorful tea. This tea also seems to give out a touch early. Light on the aroma.